Timepiece movement with a timer mechanism

ABSTRACT

A movement for a timepiece that is particularly useful in elapsed time measurement devices such as stopwatches or similar watches embodying timer mechanisms. The movement comprises a frame, a time recording member, a timing element with a balance and a balance spring, and mechanisms for starting, stopping and returning the time recording member to zero, which comprise a push-piece, a control part connected to the frame by a sliding link and having a control finger, two control parts consisting of a balance-flirt and a navette for actuating the return to zero of the time recording member and a resilient return device acting upon the control part.

United States Patent [191 Berthoud [451 Dec. 23, 1975 TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT WITH A TIMER MECHANISM [75] Inventor: fiancois Berthoud, be Lieu,

Switzerland [22] Filed: Dec. 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 531,074

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 283,49! 6/1952 Switzerland.............................58/76 Primary Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmStevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [57] ABSTRACT A movement for a timepiece that is particularly useful in elapsed time measurement devices such as stopwatches or similar watches embodying timer mechanisms. The movement comprises a frame, a time recording member, a timing element with a balance and a balance spring, and mechanisms for starting, stopping and retuming the time recording member to zero, which comprise a push-piece, a control part connected to the frame by a sliding link and having a control finger, two control parts consisting of a balanceflirt and a navette for actuating the return to zero of the time recording member and a resilient return device acting upon the control part.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of 7 3,927,519

FIG.

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of7 3,927,519

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 3 of 7 3,927,519

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet4 of7 3,927,519

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 5 of? 3,927,519

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 6 of 7 3,927,519

FIG. 6

Sheet 7 of 7 3,927,519

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT WITH A TIMER MECHANISM This invention relates to those timepiece movements which are generally called timers and which comprise an indicator member, the independent seconds-hand, which can be started. stopped, and returned to its starting position at will. More particularly, it relates to a timepiece movement comprising a frame, a timerecording member, a timing element with a balance and a balance-spring, and a mechanism for starting, stopping, and returning the time-recording member to zero, the latter mechanism in turn comprising a pushpiece, control part connected to the frame by a sliding link and having a control finger, two controlled parts consisting of a balance-flirt and a navette for actuating the return-to-zero of the time-recording member, and a resilient retum-device acting upon the control part.

Various types of timers are known, each having its specific uses. Some of them comprise a single pushpiece which is, moreover, generally combined with the winding stem; this control member performs all the desired functions, viz., starting, stopping, and returning the seconds-hand to zero. The control mechanisms of these timers are called upon to perfonn three flsnctions by means of the crown.

Other types of timers, the mechanisms of which are called upon to perform two functions by means of the crown, comprise an auxiliary push-piece which controls the hammer. The winding crown is movable along its axis and serves to control the flirt which alternately blocks and releases the balance. The first time the crown is pressed, the seconds-hand is set in motion, and the second time, it is stopped. By pressing on the crown once more, it is possible to start the seconds-hand up again without having returned it to zero. The retum-tozero control is independent of the flirt control and is actuated by means of the auxiliary push-piece. in certain cases, a bolt is held in blocking position by a spring and in unbolted position by the flirt when the latter is in blocking position. in this case, the return to zero is possible only it the seconds-hand is stopped.

in a third type of timer, the mechanism performs one function by means of the crown and comprises a double-action auxiliary push-piece or a bolt. This auxiliary bolt controls the flirt and, consequently, the starting and stopping of the seconds-hand. in such mechanisms, the crown serves to control the return-to-aero hammer. With these timers, it is possible to take a quick reading of the elapsed time, followed by a return to zero, without blocking the balance.

Each of these different types of timers supplies a particular need, so that all of them must be manufactured at the same time. However, it would be advantageous to arrange their various mechanisms in such a way that at least some of the same parts could be used for all three types.

it is therefore the object of this invention to provide a mechanism using at least some of the same parts in embodiments corresponding to the different types of timers mentioned above.

Movements of the kind to which this invention particularly relates are already known, but solely in timers ot the type where two functions are performed by means of the crown. The control part acts upon the flirt, and in response to pressure exerted on the starting and stopping pushpiece. it causes the flirt to pivot from one of its end positions to the other. When the pushthe same position, and it is kept there by a return-spring which exerts equal amounts of force on two pins disposed on each side of the link between the push-piece and the control part.

it has been found that the aforementioned object can be achieved by means of a relatively simple modification in the arrangement of the control part and in the return device in the known timepieces of the type defined above.

To this end, in the timepiece movement according to the present invention, the retum-device in resting position exerts upon the control part a resultant force, the line of action of which passes alongside the mentioned link, the control part being subjected by the returndevice and by the push-piece to a torque which presses the control finger against one of the controlled parts.

Three possible embodiments of a timepiece movement according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are plan views of the first embodiment in the return-to-zero position, the position where the seconds-hand is in motion, and the position where the seconds-hand is stopped, respectively,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of the second embodiment in the starting and stopping positions of the seconds-hand, respectively, with the positions of certain parts at the time of the retum-to-zero operation being shown in dot-dash lines, and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan views of the third embodiment in the starting and stopping positions of the secondshand, respectively, the hammer being in retum-to-zero position in FIG. '7.

The timer partially illustrated in FIG. I is of the type in which three functions are performed by pressing on the crown. The drawing shows a generally circular base plate 1 which bears the parts of the mechanism. A plate cover (not shown) will be secured above the plate 1 to hold the various parts axially in place. These parts consist essentially of a control part 2, a flirt 3 provided with a flirt-brace 4, a navette 5, a hammer 6, a reverser 7, a navette jumper 8, and a control spring 9. The flirt 3 and the navette 5 are flat, rigid parts formed by blanking and mounted so as to pivot about fixed arbors l0 and 11, respectively. The brace 4 of the flirts 3 extends perpendicular to the plane of the plate 1 into a notch made in the periphery of the plate 1 so as to cooperate with the periphery of the rim of a balance (not shown). in the position shown in FIG. 1, the brace 4 presses against the rim of the balance, whereas in the position shown in FIG. 2, it is moved away from the rim and consequently frees the balance, thus allowing it to oscillate about its axis.

The navette 5, which pivots about the arbor 11, is provided with a pin 12 which passes through a round opening 13 in the plate 1. The pin 12 cooperates with a notch in the edge of a rigid sliding part (not shown), called a brake-lever, which is mounted under the plate 1 so as to cooperate with a fourth wheel. The function of the brake-lever is to prevent jumping or jerking when the seconds-hand is set in motion. lt presses against the fourth wheel when the hammer 6 is in return-to-zero position.

in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hammer 6 cooperates with two heart-pieces l4 and 15. it is connected to the plate 1 by a sliding link composed of an elongated straight slot 16 and a cylindrical stud 17 secured to the plate .I by a screw 18. The stud 17 is engaged in the slot 16 so as to guide the hammer 6 without play. The axis of the slot 16 passes between two flat edge portions 19 and 20 of the hammer 6 which are so oriented as to be substantially symmetrical with respect to that axis. The heart-piece 14 is housed in the center of the plate 1 and mounted on the fourth wheeland-pinion. It thus controls the return of the secondshand to zero, while the heart-piece 15 is mounted on the minute-recording gears, which are otf-center.

The hammer 6 is also connected to the navette by a sort of swivel-joint consisting of a heel 21 blanked at the end of the navette 5 and engaged in a suitablyshaped notch 22 in the hammer 6. On one side of the heel 21 is a tip 23 which presses against a deeply concave portion of the notch 22 Ste that the joint between the navette 5 and the hammer 6 is actually efl'ected by means of the tip 23. The rear portion of the heel 21, on the other hand, is arcuately curved and engaged in a matching concave portion 24 of the notch 22, thus preventing any accidental disengagement of the navette 5 from the hammer 6. Hence these two parts are securely connected; and when the navette 5 pivots about the arbor 11, the entire hamamer 6 described a precisely determined combined movement of translation and rotation. FIG. 2 shows the position of the hammer 6 when disengaged from the heart-pieces l4 and and the corresponding position of the navette 5. It will be realized that through the rotation of the navette 5 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that of FIG. I, the two flat edge portions 19 and follow paths which bring them up against the heart-pieces l4 and 15, thus causing these heart-pieces to pivot until they assume the positions shown in FIG. I.

In order to establish the two positions of the flirt 3 and the navette 5 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mechanism comprises, first, two notches 25 and 26 in one of the arms of the navette jumper 8, and second, an incline 27 and a hollow 28 in the other arm of the jumper 8. The jumper 8 is a V-shaped resilient part secured by an eyelet 29 engaged on a stud 48 which is integral with the plate 1. The flirt 3 bears a cylindrical stud 30 provided with a groove which engages in one or the other of the notches 25 or 26 according to the position of the flirt 3, and the navette 5 has a similar stud 31 whim cooperates with the incline 27 or with the hollow 28 (FIGS. 1 and 2) according to the position of the navette 5. Since the notches 25 and 26, the incline 27, and the hollow 28 are fomied on the outer edges of the two arms of the jumper 8, this part requires no fastening means other than the stud 48. Its arms are constantly held between the two studs 30 and 31. It will be noted that the function of the incline 27 is somewhat more complex than that of the notches 25 and 26 owing to the permanent action of the spring 9. This point will be explained in more detail further on.

The flirt 3 and the navette 5 are alternately controlled by the sarne control part 2, which likewise consists of a flat blanked plate. One of its ends is provided with a profile-tumed cylindrical post 32 having a round stud driven into an opening in and projecting out from the other side of the part 2. As may be seen in the drawing, the post 32 is engaged in the inner portion of a radial slot 33 in the plate 1. The slot 33 extends from the periphery of the plate 1 towards the center; just after its entry portion, it has a widened portion 34, then an inner portion of the same width as the entry portion.

The inner portion of the slot 33 serves to guide the post 32, so that the slot 33 and the post 32 together constitute a sliding link which is, in fact, the sole connection between the control part 2 and the frame of the timer. The widened portion 34 is intended to receive a winding-pinion and the foot of a cock serving to ensure the pivoting of the winding-stem (not shown). The winding-stem has a square passing through the center opening of the winding-pinion and is supported by the cock so that it may be moved rotatingly about its axis and in translation along its axis. It is held towards the outside by conventional means.

The inside end of the winding-stem rests against the post 32 so that pressure exerted on the winding-stem moves the sliding link towards the center of the movement in the slot 33.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mechanism also comprises a reverser 7 connected to the control part by a link consisting of a pin 35 integral with the reverser 7 and freely engaged in a hole in the control part 2. The reverser 7 also comprises a profiled notch 36, the two ends of which will cooperate with the upper portion of the stud of the post 32 to limit the pivoting range of the reverser 7 with respect to the control part 2. Particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reverser 7 may be seen in one of its end positions. It is held axially in place with play by a washer (not shown) driven onto the upper portion of the stud of the post 32, and the plate cover holds the control part 2, which is, however, engaged under the navette jumper 8.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, the reverser 7 can cooperate with the hammer 6 and with the control spring 9. It bears a pin 37 which cooperates with one end of the spring 9, the latter being an arched and bent wire held at one end between the plate 1 and the plate cover by means of two studs 38 and 39. Furthermore, one end of the reverser 7 is triangular in shape, extends above the hammer 6, and cooperates with a pin 40 set into the hammer 6. The pin 37 is so disposed that when the reverser 7 pivots counterclockwise, starting from the position shown in FIG. 1, with respect to the control part 2, it strikes against a shoulder 20 of the control part 2. The shoulder 20 extends approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the slot 33; and the point at which the pin 37 comes in contact with the shoulder 2a is situated on one side of the axis of the slot 33, whereas the point of linkage between the reverser 7 and the control part 2 is situated on the other side of that longitudinal axis, as may be seen in FIG. 1.

This last observation makes it possible to understand the operation of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. 1 shows the mechanism in the retum-tozero position. The flirt 3 is held in blocking position by one of the arms of the navette jumper 8, while the hammer 6 is held in zero position by the navette 5, which is blocked by the incline 27 pressing on the stud 31. However, the hammer 6 is also subjected, via the pin 40 and the beak of the reverser 7, to a force which tends to move it away from the heart-pieces l4 and 15. This force derives from the action of the end of the control spring 9 which is under tension and acts upon the pin 37; for the force of the spring 9 tends to cause the reverser 7 to pivot counterclockwise about the link-pin 35, on the one hand-and this force is opposed by the resistance of the second arm of the jumper 8and to cause the control part 2 to pivot clockwise about the post 32 since this post is held in the slot 33 at the end of the control-stem. Under the influence of these forces, a finger 41 which forms the end of the control part 2 opposite the post 32 and which, like the link-pin 35, is situated to the left of the axis of the slot 33, presses against an incline of the flirt 3, and this fixes the position of the finger.

It will be seen that pressure exerted on the controlstem at this moment has the effect of moving the control part 2 in translation, so that the finger 41 engages in a hollow 3a of the flirt 3 and causes the latter to pivot counterclockwise. A beak 3b of the flirt 3 drives the navette 5 so that the stud 31 passes into the hollow 28. Thus the navette jumper 8 contributes to this rotating movement, the effect of which is to move the hammer 6 into the position shown in FIG. 2 and to release the heart-pieces l4 and 15. During the movement of the hammer 6, since the pin 40 moves away from the finger of the reverser 7, the latter pivots about the link-pin 35 under the action of the spring 9. When the control-stem is released, the control part 2 is subjected by the spring 9, via the pin 37, to a force which is applied to the shoulder 2a, thus to a point shifted towards the right with respect to the axis of the slot 33. The control part 2 tends to pivot counterclockwise while moving in such a way that the post 32 resumes the place in the slot 33 which it occupies in FIG. I. The finger 41 comes to strike against the side of a notch 3c of the flirt 3. Thus the mechanism has passed into the position shown in FIG. 2, and the seconds-hand is set in motion, the movement of the pin 12 having had the effect of displacing the brake-lever of the fourth wheel as well.

If, when the mechanism is in the position shown in FIG. 2, pressure is once more exerted upon the controlcrown, which acts as a push-piece, the finger 41 engages in the notch 30 of the flirt 3 and causes the latter to pivot clockwise, returning it to the position of FIG. 1; this blocks the balance and, consequently, the seconds hand. The right-hand end of the flirt 3, on the other hand, enters a notch 50 of the navette 5 without coming into contact with the navette 5, which therefore does not change position. However, the movement of the flirt 3 has freed the finger 41; and when the pushpiece is released, the spring 9 acting upon the pin 37 returns the part 2 to an end position which is slightly different from that shown in FIG. 2, this position being fixed by the pressure of the finger 41 against the side of a notch 5b in the navette 5 (FIG. 3).

When the control-stem is pressed for a third time, the control part 2, which is still subjected to a counterclockwise torque, moves with the post 32 in such a way that the finger 4] follows along the side of the notch 5b and reaches the bottom of it, then causes the navette 5 to pivot clockwise in order to return it to the position of FIG. 1. This movement entails a displacement of the hammer 6 which is a movement of rotation and translation guided by the joint 23, 22 and by the link l6, l8, and this returns the heart-pieces 14 and 15 to the zero position. At the same time, the pin 40 catches the finger of the reverser 7 and causes it to pivot clockwise, tensing the spring 9 and bringing the reverser 7 into the position shown in FIG. I, in which the torque to which the control part 2 is subjected in a clockwise torque, so that when the pressure exerted on the controlstem is removed, the finger 41 moves and comes to press against the side of the hollow 3a of the flirt 3.

Thus the complete cycle of operations controlled by the control-crown is accomplished. Hence the three functions of that crown are indeed to start the secondshand, to stop it, and to return the heart-pieces to zero 6 position. These three functions necessarily follow in that order.

FIGS. 4 and 5, on the other hand, illustrate an embodiment in which it is possible to restart the secondshand after having stopped it, without returning it to zero. In this embodiment, parts identical to those which have just been described are to be found. This applies to the plate I, the control part 2, the flirt 3 and its brace 4, the navette 5, the hammer 6, and the control spring 9. In this embodiment, the reverser 7 no longer appears and as may be seen in FIG. 4, the free end of the control spring 9 acts directly upon the shoulder 2a of the control part 2. The post 32 is still engaged in the slot 33. The hole for the link-pin 3S exists in the control part 2 but is not used in this embodiment. Instead, a projecting pin 42 is attached about midway down the length of the control part 2. The navette jumper 8 has been eliminated. It is replaced by a control reverser spring 43 consisting of a hairpin-shaped wire, one of the arms of which has a bend which cooperates with the stud 30, and by a navette spring 44 consisting of a blanked plate, the free end of which acts under the navette 5 in front of its pivoting point 11. The navette 5 is blanked in a slightly different shape from the one in FIGS. 2-3. It is urged by the spring 44 to rotate counterclockwise, i.e., in the direction which holds the hammer 6 away from the heartpieces l4 and 15. An opening 45 in the plate cover is shown in dot-dash outline. One of the arms of the spring 43 presses against the side of the opening 45. Moreover, the spring 43 passes around a stud enabling the articulation of the navette spring 44, and the free end of its bent arm extends opposite the pin 42. Above the spring 43 there extends a push-piece bar 46 consisting of a blanked and bent plate, a flat bar-shaped portion of which is accommodated in a slot which forms the opening 45 in the plate cover. Near the end of the push-piece bar 46 is a notch which is engaged on the stud 31 of the navette 5. The outer end of the push-piece bar 46 has a head provided with a slot 47 in which the stud 48 fastened to the plate 1 is engaged. Pressure exerted radially on the pushpiece bar 46 causes it to move and thus causes the navette 5 to pivot clockwise against the action of the spring 44. In order to prevent this movement when it is not desired to have the heart-pieces l4 and 15 returned to zero while the seconds-hand is going, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 further comprises a bolt 49 pivoted on a pin 50 and acted upon by a springwire 51 tensed between the plate 1 and the plate cover. The bolt 49 cooperates with the push-piece bar 46. FIG. 4 shows the mechanism in the running position, i.e., a position corresponding to that of FIG. 2. The navette 5, which is connected to the hammer 6 by the link 22, 23, holds the hammer 6 away from the heartpieces 14 and 15 under the influence of the spring 44, and the flirt 3 is in the disengaged position, in which it is held by the other end of the spring 44 whichenters a notch 30 in the flirt 3, thus playing the part of a jumper. The finger 41 of the control part 2 presses against the side of the notch 30 in the flirt 3. It is held in this position by the end of the spring 9 which acts upon the end of the shoulder 2a and by the control-stem, which holds the post 32 in the slot 33. If, starting from this position, the control-stem is pressed, the finger 41 causes the flirt 3 to pivot clockwise by engaging in the notch 3c, so that the flirt 3 passes into the position shown in FIG. 5, which is the same as that of FIG. 3. In this position, the flirt 3 is held by the end of the spring 44, which enters 7 a notch 3f. However, during the movement of the flirt 3, the stud 30 describes an are about the arbor l and leaves the bent portion of the spring 43. It tenses the free arm of the spring 43 by causing the end of it to press against the pin 42. Hence the effect of this action is to exert a clockwise torque on the control part 2 to such an extent that the control part 2 pivots about the post 32 when the pressure is taken off the control-stem, so that the finger 41 comes to press against the side of the notch 30 (FIG. Thus when the control-stem has been released, the control part 2 is held in the position shown in FIG. 5 by the spring 43, the torque of which, produced by the stud 30 which has passed beyond the bend in the spring 43, is greater than the opposing torque of the spring 9. Moreover, an incline 3d of the flirt 3 has come to press against the bolt 49 and has caused it to pivot against the force of its spring 51 into a position of disengagement.

Only in the position shown in FIG. 5, therefore, is it possible to press by means of a push-piece (not shown) on the push-piece bar 46 and to move it from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in dotdash lines. During the course of this movement, the navette 5 pivots, pulling along the hammer 6, which comes to occupy the position shown in dot-dash lines. Thus when the auxiliary push-piece is pressed, the heart-pieces l4 and are caused to return to zero.

However, this return to zero need not necessarily be effected before the seconds-hand is re-started, for in the position shown in FIG. 5, it is likewise possible to press on the control-stem. The control part 2 then moves in translation while being held by the springs 43 and 9. The finger 41 enters the notch 3a and returns the flirt 3 to the position of FIG. 4, which brings about the starting-up of the seconds-hand. At the same time, the stud 30 re-enters the bend in the spring 43, so that the end of the free arm of the spring 43 moves away from the pin 42. Thus the control part 2 is no longer subjected to the action of the spring 9. It pivots about the post 32 when the control-stem is released, and resumes the position shown in FIG. 4. Hence it is possible alternately to start and stop the seconds-hand without effecting an intermediate return to zero.

It will furthermore be noted that the stud 48 for guiding the part 46 is the same one which serves to fix the navette jumper 8 in the first embodiment.

Another variation of the mechanism described above consists in removing the bolt 49 and its spring 51 and in eliminating a beak 5c of the navette 5 according to the dot-dash lines in FIGS. 4 and 5. This design thus enables the heart-pieces l4 and 15 to be returned to zero at any time by pressing on the push-piece bar 46, with out having to stop the seconds-hand.

In the embodiments which have been described so far, the control part 2 cooperates with an arrangement which, under certain conditions, applies a clockwise torque to it, so that it then rotates about the axis of the post 32. This arrangement consists of the reverser 7 and the hammer 6 in the first embodiment and of the control reverser spring 43 in the second embodiment.

An embodiment will now be described in which the control part 2 is subjected only to the action of the spring 9 and of the push-piece, so that the control finger 4] always acts on the same part and at the same location on that part, in this instance on the navette 5 and, to be precise, in the notch 51; of the navette 5. In this embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, there are to be found once more the plate 1, which is of exactly the same shape as in the first two embodiments; the control part 2 with its post 32 engaged in the slot 33; the spring 9 which acts directly upon the shoulder 20 of the control part 2; and the navette 5 which pivots about the arbor II. The navette 5 is joined by the tip 23 and the notch 22 to the hammer 6, which, guided by the slot 16 and the stud l7, acts upon the heart-pieces l4 and 15 by means of its two flat edge portions 19 and 20. Thus the return-to-zero mechanism operates in the same way as in the first embodiment. However, when the crown is pressed and the finger 41 has entered the bottom of the notch 5b, so as to cause the navette 5 to pivot clockwise, no element blocks the navette 5 in the return-to-zero position. On the contrary, a spring-wire 52 acts upon the navette 5 to the right of its arbor 11 and thus returns both it and the hammer 6 to their resting positions. As may be seen in FIG. 6, the springwire 52 is mounted on a pin 53 and a stud 54 which are integral with the plate 1. These elements were already present in the other embodiments but were not specifically mentioned because they played no part in those mechanisms.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 comprises a flirt 55 of a difierent shape from the flirt 3. However, it pivots about the same arbor l0 and bears the same brace 4. In order to block and release the balance, it rotates about the arbor 10 through the same distance as does the flirt 3.

In the periphery of the flirt 55 is a hollow 55a in the shape of an arc of more than engaged in which is the head of a resilient arm 56 blanked in a spring-plate 57 which is pivotingly mounted about a stud 58 integral with the plate 1. As will be seen upon comparing FIGS. 4 and 6, the stud 58 served in the second embodiment to position the spring-wire 51 acting upon the bolt 49. In FIG. 6, the blanked plate 57 constitutes a control plate. It has a second resilient arm 59 which ends in a triangular beak cooperating with a stud 60 set in the plate 1. Along its periphery, it also has a hollow 61 which accommodates the stud 48. The plate 57 is controlled by an auxiliary push-piece which will be disposed in the same location as the one which controlled the push-piece bar 46; but instead of effecting a movement of translation like the push-piece bar 46, the plate 57 pivots about the stud 58. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the push-piece cooperating with the plate 57 must be a double-action one. In FIG. 6, the plate 57 is shown in its innermost position, and the stud 60 is acting upon an incline of the triangular end of the arm 59 so that the plate 57 is urged to rotate clockwise. In the drawing, it is in its end position since the edge of the hollow 61 is pressing against the stud 48; consequently, the arm 56 and the joint which it forms in the hollow 55a of the flirt 55 hold the latter in the disengagement position. Hence the position shown in FIG. 6 is the running position. The heart-pieces 24 and 15 are freed, the navette 5 is in a position such that the brakelever of the fourth wheel is disengaged, and the same applies to the balance. In this position, it is possible to make a quick return to zero. To do so, it suffices to press on the push-piece controlling the post 32. The control part 2 effects a movement of translation, with the finger 41 moving along the side of the notch 5b, and then causes the navette 5 to rotate against the action of the spring 52. At the same time, the beack Sc of the navette 5 causes the flirt 55 to pivot into a position which blocks the balance, but this movement takes place without any displacement of the plate 57. Only the resilient arm 56 bends inwardly. As soon as the crown is released, the control part 2 resumes its position as in FIG. 6, under the influence of the spring 9. The same applies to the navette 5 and the hammer 6 owing to the spring 52, and the arm 56 returns the flirt 55 to the disengagement position, i.e., that shown in FIG. 6.

To control the stopping of the seconds-hand, the auxiliary push-piece must be pulled out so as to cause the plate 57 to pivot counterclockwise. The plate 57 then comes into the position shown in FIG. 7, where the triangular head of the arm 59 may be seen to have passed on to the other side of the stud 60, so that the plate 57 is urged to rotate counterclockwise, and the other edge of the hollow 6I presses against the stud 48. The arm 56 then holds the flirt 55 in the position where the balance is blocked. To re-start, it will suffice to press on the auxiliary push-piece in order to return the plate 57 to the position shown in FIG. 6. However, it will be seen that in the position of FIG. 7, i.e., with the seconds-hand blocked, it is also possible to return the heart-pieces l4 and to zero. Parts 2, 5, and 6 are shown in FIG. 7 in precisely those positions which correspond to pressure on the crown, so that the post 32 has moved all the way down to the end of the slot 33, thus tensing the spring 9. Since the point at which the spring 9 acts upon the shoulder is situated to the right of the longitudinal axis of the slot 33, the control part 2 is subjected to a counterclockwise torque, so that the finger 41 remains engaged in the notch 5b.

This embodiment therefore makes it possible to take quick readings of the time, followed by a return to zero and an immediate re-starting of the seconds-hand. Moreover, it also makes it possible to start and stop the seconds-hand several times in succession, as in the second embodiment, the ditference being that the auxiliary push-piece must be alternately pushed and pulled to start and stop the seconds-hand. The plate 57 might also be controlled by a bolt sliding at the periphery of the movement or by two push-pieces, both operated by pressure.

This last embodiment is the simplest one from the structural point of view. It will be noted, however, that the number of parts in the mechanism is exactly the same as in the first embodiment, the plate 57 being used to replace the jumper 8, and the navette spring 52 to replace the reverser 7.

It is the arrangement consisting of the control part 2 cooperating with either one or the other of two pivoting members, i.e., the flirt or the navette, or alternately with one and then the other of those members, which makes it possible to use the same parts in the construction of timers of different types and, consequently, to improve the efficiency of their manufacture while at the same time ensuring the production of those types of timers which correspond to the practical requirements.

Finally, the kinematic chain connecting the hammer to the control member via a pivotingly-mounted na vette is so arranged that the return to zero is carried out directly by the pressure of the users finger, whereas in certain known timersespecially those where three functions are performed by means of the crownthe hammer is controlled by a spring which must be strong enough to actuate the heart-pieces in all positions. The fact that the return to zero is carried out by the direct pressure of the users finger is an advantage in these various types of timers.

What is claimed is:

l. A time piece movement comprising a frame, a time-recording member, a timing element with a balance and a balance-spring, and a mechanism for starting, stopping, and returning said time-recording mem ber to zero, said mechanism comprising a control part connected to said frame by a sliding link and having a control finger, two controlled parts consisting of a balance flirt and a navette for actuating the return-to-zero of said time-recording member, a control spring, a push piece acting onto said link for sliding it, thereby displacing said control part from a resting position into an active position against the action of said spring, and force applying means for applying the force of said spring to said control part along a line which in said resting position passes alongside said link, said control part being subjected by said spring and by said pushpiece to a torque which presses said control finger against one of said controlled parts.

2. A movement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fourth wheel, a brake-lever, and a hammer, said brake-lever being adapted to block said fourth wheel when said hammer is in a retum-to'zero position, and said navette bearing an element for controlling said brake-lever.

3. A movement in accordance with claim 1 wherein said force applying means comprises a reverser part, a link connecting said reverser part to said control part, a pin affixed to said reverser part, an end portion of a control spring coacting with said pin, and a shoulder on said control part for abuttting said pin, said shoulder and said link being situated on both sides of said sliding link, and said reverser being arranged to occupy first and second positions with respect to said control parts, said first position being that in which the control spring force is applied to said link through said pin and said reverser, and said second position being that wherein the control spring force is applied to said shoulder through said pin.

4. A movement in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a hammer movable between a zero and a release position and one or more heart-pieces, wherein said controlled parts are levers pivoting on said frame and movable between two predetermined end positions, said navette being connected to said hammer by a swivel-joint, and said hammer being connected to said frame by a sliding link and cooperating with at least one said heart-piece.

5. A movement in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of said controlled parts is fixed in each of its said two predetermined end positions by a respective resilient jumper.

6. A movement in accordance with claim 5 wherein said reverser cooperates with said hammer and each one of said reverser positions is correlated to another one of said hammer positions.

7. A movement in accordance with claim I wherein said force applying means comprises a shoulder on said control part and an end portion of said control spring acting upon said shoulder, said shoulder being situated alongside said sliding link.

8. A movement in accordance with claim 7, comprising a hammer movable between a zero and a release positions and one or more heart-pieces, wherein said controlled parts are levers pivoting on said frame and movable between two predetermined end positions, said nave tte being connected to said hammer by a swivel-joint, said hammer being connected to said frame by a sliding link and cooperating with at least one said heart-piece, said movement further comprising a reverser spring acting upon a pin secured to said control part, said reverser spring being actuated by one of said controlled parts so as to be moved therewith and acting upon said control part through said pin only when said one of said controlled parts is in one of its said end positions.

9. A movement in accordance with claim 8, wherein said control part cooperates with only one of said controlled parts so as to cause it to move alternately from one of its said end positions to the other when said push-piece is pressed twice in succession, said movements further comprising an auxiliary push-piece, the other of said controlled parts being subjected to the action of said auxiliary push-piece.

10. A movement in accordance with claim 9, wherein said other of said controlled parts is subject to the action of a third spring which continually returns said auxiliary push-piece to its resting position.

11. A movement in accordance with claim 19, wherein said other of said controlled parts is said navette, further comprising a bolt cooperating with said auxiliary push-piece and with said flirt, and a fourth spring, said bolt being urged by said fourth spring to block said auxiliary push-piece and to prevent the control of said hammer when said flirt is in its balancereleasing position.

12. A movement in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a hammer movable between a zero and a release positions, and one or more heart-pieces, wherein said controlled parts are levers pivoting on said frame and movable between two predetermined end positions, said navette being connected to said hammer by a swivel-joint, said hammer being connected to said frame by a sliding link and cooperating with at least one said heart-piece, said control finger acting upon said navette so as to control said return-to-zero of said time recording member when said push-piece is pressed.

13. A movement in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a navette spring, wherein said navette is subjected to the action of said navette spring and is normally held thereby in a position which in turn holds said hammer away from said heart-piece or heartpieces.

14. A movement in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a double-action push-piece, at least two stop elements, and a control plate pivotably mounted about a fixed axis and having at least one resilient element, wherein said control plate is linked to said double-action push-piece, said flirt is actuated by said control plate, and said control plate cooperates with said stop elements so as to be capable of occupying two different positions, in each of which it is held by the force of a said resilient element.

15. A movement in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a fixed stud, wherein said control plate comprises a blanked hollow and a blanked resilient arm having a triangular end portion, said end portion cooperating with said stud to press one or the other side of said hollow against a said stop element according to whichever side of said end portion is in contact with said stud. 

1. A time piece movement comprising a frame, a time-recording member, a timing element with a balance and a balance-spring, and a mechanism for starting, stopping, and returning said timerecording member to zero, said mechanism comprising a control part connected to said frame by a sliding link and having a control finger, two controlled parts consisting of a balance flirt and a navette for actuating the return-to-zero of said time-recording member, a control spring, a push piece acting onto said link for sliding it, thereby displacing said control part from a resting position into an active position against the action of said spring, and force applying means for applying the force of said spring to said control part along a line which in said resting position passes alongside said link, said control part being subjected by said spring and by said push-piece to a torque which presses said control finger against one of said controlled parts.
 2. A movement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fourth wheel, a brake-lever, and a hammer, said brake-lever being adapted to block said fourth wheel when said hammer is in a return-to-zero position, and said navette bearing an element for controlling said brake-lever.
 3. A movement in accordance with claim 1 wherein said force applying means comprises a reverser part, a link connecting said reverser part to said control part, a pin affixed to said reverser part, an end portion of a control spring coacting with said pin, and a shoulder on said control part for abuttting said pin, said shoulder and said link being situated on both sides of said sliding link, and said reverser being arranged to occupy first and second positions with respect to said control parts, said first position being that in which the control spring force is applied to said link through said pin and said reverser, and said second position being that wherein the control spring force is applied to said shoulder through said pin.
 4. A movement in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a hammer movable between a zero and a Release position and one or more heart-pieces, wherein said controlled parts are levers pivoting on said frame and movable between two predetermined end positions, said navette being connected to said hammer by a swivel-joint, and said hammer being connected to said frame by a sliding link and cooperating with at least one said heart-piece.
 5. A movement in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of said controlled parts is fixed in each of its said two predetermined end positions by a respective resilient jumper.
 6. A movement in accordance with claim 5 wherein said reverser cooperates with said hammer and each one of said reverser positions is correlated to another one of said hammer positions.
 7. A movement in accordance with claim 1 wherein said force applying means comprises a shoulder on said control part and an end portion of said control spring acting upon said shoulder, said shoulder being situated alongside said sliding link.
 8. A movement in accordance with claim 7, comprising a hammer movable between a zero and a release positions and one or more heart-pieces, wherein said controlled parts are levers pivoting on said frame and movable between two predetermined end positions, said navette being connected to said hammer by a swivel-joint, said hammer being connected to said frame by a sliding link and cooperating with at least one said heart-piece, said movement further comprising a reverser spring acting upon a pin secured to said control part, said reverser spring being actuated by one of said controlled parts so as to be moved therewith and acting upon said control part through said pin only when said one of said controlled parts is in one of its said end positions.
 9. A movement in accordance with claim 8, wherein said control part cooperates with only one of said controlled parts so as to cause it to move alternately from one of its said end positions to the other when said push-piece is pressed twice in succession, said movements further comprising an auxiliary push-piece, the other of said controlled parts being subjected to the action of said auxiliary push-piece.
 10. A movement in accordance with claim 9, wherein said other of said controlled parts is subject to the action of a third spring which continually returns said auxiliary push-piece to its resting position.
 11. A movement in accordance with claim 19, wherein said other of said controlled parts is said navette, further comprising a bolt cooperating with said auxiliary push-piece and with said flirt, and a fourth spring, said bolt being urged by said fourth spring to block said auxiliary push-piece and to prevent the control of said hammer when said flirt is in its balance-releasing position.
 12. A movement in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a hammer movable between a zero and a release positions, and one or more heart-pieces, wherein said controlled parts are levers pivoting on said frame and movable between two predetermined end positions, said navette being connected to said hammer by a swivel-joint, said hammer being connected to said frame by a sliding link and cooperating with at least one said heart-piece, said control finger acting upon said navette so as to control said return-to-zero of said time recording member when said push-piece is pressed.
 13. A movement in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a navette spring, wherein said navette is subjected to the action of said navette spring and is normally held thereby in a position which in turn holds said hammer away from said heart-piece or heart-pieces.
 14. A movement in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a double-action push-piece, at least two stop elements, and a control plate pivotably mounted about a fixed axis and having at least one resilient element, wherein said control plate is linked to said double-action push-piece, said flirt is actuated by said control plate, and said control plate cooperates with said stop elements so as to be capable of occupying two different positions, in each of which it is held by the force of a said resilient element.
 15. A movement in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a fixed stud, wherein said control plate comprises a blanked hollow and a blanked resilient arm having a triangular end portion, said end portion cooperating with said stud to press one or the other side of said hollow against a said stop element according to whichever side of said end portion is in contact with said stud. 